Options, as it turns out, are as of now in short supply, however. I was taking a look at Portland’s general dispensary map on Leafly and I noticed what I thought was a trend. There are some dispensaries letting its patients and caregivers know that they’ll be closed some days in order to prep for October, but after looking at almost all of the 142 dispensaries in the greater Portland area, I was a little surprised.

Here’s a little cheat sheet for which dispensaries will be closing for recreational prep and when:

These are all the dispensaries that mentioned October recreational sales. Only 7 outwardly say they’ll be involved in recreational, out of around 140. I was expecting to find more, but maybe dispensaries are approaching this in a word-of-mouth type way. Or maybe everyone is still unprepared for October – let’s face it, it’s going to be insane.

Dispensaries not updating their Leaflys seems like it’s not a big deal, but it’ll leave the rest of us without any clue where to turn. How many doors will we knock on to be turned away? It’s definitely good for the patients to have their dispensaries, so, dispensaries, is it unreasonable to ask for details? Right now the cannabis market is this crazy waiting-game, so sit back, relax, and – well – don’t get your hopes up just yet?

With Oregon’s passing of recreational sale for October, big things are on the horizon. The period of tax-free weed will be from October to whenever the first store opens. You will be limited in the amount that you can buy per visit, as they have to regulate these sales. Come July, or whenever the first store opens, weed will be taxed 25%, so the goal is to stock up.

This is made easier by the sheer amount of dispensaries in the Portland area. It is still unknown as to which are opening up recreationally for sure, but most seem to be planning on it and are preparing for that influx of sales. This influx of sales, however, will be spread out across literally hundreds of locations, and dispensaries need to stand out. Despite donating samples to awesome events like Franco’s Fun Bus or Marijuana Mondays at the Analog, dispensaries and vendors can impress with features such as a delivery service. According to weedmaps.com, there is only a handful of delivery-only medical suppliers. There are a few more in the Portland area that are not listed on weedmaps (which allows you to use search filters), but the first question on everyone’s minds is “will they sell recreationally?” Just as it applies to retail dispensaries, it applies to delivery-only dispensaries.

There are two things should happen, as a result of this question (which the answer to is most likely, yes, by the way). The first thing that should happen is that more dispensaries should offer a Portland weed delivery service in general. So many patients could benefit from it – the traffic alone in Portland can throw off someone’s ability to get their medications. The second is that those dispensaries should turn around and deliver recreationally once October hits. It would allow for more people to stay off the highways, lessening by a little the traffic problem of which we’re all a part. This would be particularly helpful during the upcoming recreational period when the stores themselves are chaos. At least with a delivery experience, it’s more one on one, rather than feeling someone breathing down your neck waiting for you to finish with the budtender. Delivery is a good opportunity to wow with customer service, and really establish the fan base that is needed to survive the next year.

Imagine opening your door to an experienced budtender and a briefcase full of marijuana products. That will be possible at the rate we’re going. You’ll be free to do things like ask your expert all the questions you’re maybe too nervous to ask either a dealer or a budtender in a store full of people. You can take your time with your deal (to an extent) in the comfort of your own home. Then you can consume immediately and enjoy the effects of your purchases without having to get back anywhere. So what’s the verdict? OMMP Card Holders: tell your favorite dispensary to deliver!